Content distribution server, content distribution method and content distribution program

ABSTRACT

A content distribution server ( 111 ), includes: a communicator ( 112 ) that receives live contents transmitted through a network NW from a distributor terminal ( 121 ) used by a distributor of a live content; a designator ( 115 ) that designates an area in the live content, where another content is superimposed and played; a selector ( 116 ) that selects the other content to be played in the area designated; and a controller ( 113 ) that generates a distribution content by superimposing the other content selected by the selector ( 116 ) in the area designated by the designator ( 115 ) in the live content, wherein the communicator ( 112 ) distributes the distribution content to a viewer terminal ( 131 ) through the network NW.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a content distribution server, acontent distribution method, and a content distribution program, each ofwhich enables distribution of live content in a viewable manner.

BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, there has been a technology to broadcast content, withanother content such as an advertisement or the like superimposed to thecontent.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology.Namely, a two-dimensional code contained in a video image received isobtained. Then, an area for displaying an advertisement is specifiedbased on the two-dimensional code obtained. In this area specified, anadvertisement corresponding to the two-dimensional code is combined.Then, a video having the advertisement combined therewith by a combineris distributed.

In recent years, services that enable users in general to distributelive content created at home or the like through a network have becomecommon.

CITATION LIST Patent Documents

PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2015-228585.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

There are cases where an increase in revenues from advertisements issought for, by playing and distributing any other content such as anadvertisement or the like in an open area of a video image distributedas live content.

However, the system of Patent Document 1 does not allow a distributor ofthe live content to select any given advertisement from a distributorterminal.

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a contentdistribution server, a content distribution method, and a contentdistribution program which enable playback of any other content in anarbitrary area of content distributed by a distributor.

Solution to the Problem

To solve the above problem, a content distribution server of the presentdisclosure includes: a communicator that receives live contentstransmitted through a network from a distributor terminal used by adistributor of a live content; a designator that designates, accordingto an instruction from the distributor terminal, an area within a videoimage of the live content received, the area being a space in the livecontent, where another content is superimposed and played; a selectorthat selects the other content to be played in the area designated; acontroller that generates a distribution content by superimposing theother content selected by the selector in the area designated by thedesignator in the live content, wherein the communicator distributes thedistribution content to a viewer terminal through the network.

Further, a content distribution method of the present disclosureincludes the steps of: receiving a live content transmitted through anetwork from a distributor terminal used by a distributor of a livecontent by a communicator; designating by a designator, according to aninstruction from the distributor terminal, an area within a video imageof the live content received, the area being a space in the livecontent, where another content is superimposed and played; selecting theother content to be played in the area designated by a selector;generating the distribution content by a controller, by superimposingthe other content selected by the selector in the area designated by thedesignator in the live content; and distributing the distributioncontent to a viewer terminal through the network by the communicator.

Further, a content distribution program of the present disclosureimplements, in a computer, the steps of: receiving live contentstransmitted through a network from a distributor terminal used by adistributor of a live content; designating according to an instructionfrom the distributor terminal, an area within a video image of the livecontent received, the area being a space in the live content, whereanother content is superimposed and played; selecting the other contentto be played in the area designated; generating a distribution contentby superimposing the other content selected in the area designated inthe live content; and distributing the distribution content to a viewerterminal through a network.

Effects of the Invention

The content distribution server, the content distribution method, andthe content distribution program as described hereinabove enableplayback of any other content in an arbitrary area of a contentdistributed by a distributor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a contentdistribution system 1 of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of livecontent of a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a distributed video image of the livecontent of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a distributed video image of the livecontent of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining an operation of the contentdistribution system 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of livecontent of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of livecontent of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a distributed video image of the livecontent of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart explaining an operation of the contentdistribution system 1 of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of livecontent of a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a distributed video image of the livecontent of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining an operation of the contentdistribution system 1 of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual scheme showing a timetable of the live contentof a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of acomputer of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments. It should be noted that theembodiments described below do not unduly limit the claims of thepresent disclosure. Further, not all configurations of the embodimentsdescribed herein are essential in the present disclosure.

First Embodiment

The following describes a first embodiment of the present disclosure,which is a content distribution system 1 that distributes live contentin such a manner that advertisement content is superimposed anddisplayed within a distributor-designated area of the live content.

<Configuration>

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the following describes a configurationof a content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, includinga content distribution server 111 for distributing live content intendedto be distributed by a distributor. The live content herein is so-calledlive broadcast content, such as a moving image or a sound, which allowsa viewer to view in real time the content intended to be distributed bythe distributor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 1 of the presentembodiment is configured such that the content distribution server 111,a distributor terminal 121, viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b, and anadvertisement content server 141 are connectable to a network NW such asthe internet.

The content distribution server 111 is a server apparatus thatdistributes live content transmitted from the distributor terminal 121to the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b. The content distribution server111 includes a communicator 112, a controller 113, a storage 114, adesignator 115, and a selector 116.

The communicator 112 serves as a communication interface that performscommunication with the distributor terminal 121, the viewer terminals131 a, 131 b, and the advertisement content server 141 through thenetwork NW. The communicator 112 receives live content transmitted fromthe distributor terminal 121 and superimpose content (another content)transmitted from the advertisement content server 141. Further, thecommunicator 112 distributes, to the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b,distribution content generated by the controller 113 which ishereinafter described. Further, the communicator 112 maytransmit/receive, as needed, login ID information of a distributor or aviewer to log in the content distribution server 111 via the distributorterminal 121 or the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b.

The controller 113 generates a superimpose content list in which sets ofsuperimpose content stored in the later-described storage 114 or in thelater-described advertisement content server 141 are listed for thedistributor to choose. The controller 113 further generates thedistribution content in which the superimpose content is superimposed tothe live content. At a time of generating the distribution content, thecontroller 113 superimposes the superimpose content to the live contentbased on display area information and allotment information stored inthe later-described storage 114.

The storage 114 stores display area information for the superimposecontent, which is designated by the later-described designator 115.Further, the storage 114 stores the allotment information of thesuperimpose content selected by the later-described selector 116.Further, the storage 114 stores the superimpose content created by anadministrator of the content distribution server, a distributor or thelike. Further, the storage 114 temporarily stores superimpose contentrelated to an advertisement transmitted from the advertisement contentserver 141. Further, the storage 114 stores the superimpose content listgenerated by the controller 113. Further, the storage 114 stores thesuperimpose content list regarding distributable superimpose content.The superimpose content list contains information of an original senderof the superimpose content and a consideration information regardingdistribution of the superimpose content. The consideration informationis, for example, information such as “JPY 5,000 is paid to thedistributor, for displaying the advertisement in an area taking up 10%of the video image in the distributed live content for 30 minutes.”

The designator 115 designates an area of the live content in which thesuperimpose content is superimposed and displayed, in response to anoperation of the distributor terminal 121. The area designated is storedas display area information in the storage 114. The method ofdesignating an area may be as follows. Namely, a constant area of afixed position within a video image may be designated. Alternatively, itis possible to catch a human face and a position and an area relative toa face-caught area may be designated. Further, a shape of a cup or thelike may be recognized, and an area which is a part of the cup may bedesignated. The number of areas designated within a video image may beone position or more than one position.

In response to an operation of the distributor terminal 121, theselector 116 selects the superimpose content from the superimposecontent list and allots the superimpose content to an area designated bythe designator 115. The designator 115 stores the allotment of thesuperimpose content as the allotment information in the storage 114.

Next, the following describes a configuration and operation of thedistributor terminal 121. The distributor terminal 121 is a terminaldevice used by the content distributor, and is an information processingdevice such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal handy phonesystem (PHS), a personal computer, a gaming device, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable gaming console, a watch, a smartwatch, ahead-mounted display, a wearable display, an image generation device,and the like. Further, the distributor terminal 121 is connectable tothe content distribution server 111 through the internet (WAN), anetwork NW such as LAN, or the like. Note that the communication channelbetween the distributor terminal 121 and the content distribution server111 may be wired or wireless. The distributor creates live content forbroadcasting on live by using the distributor terminal 121. Thedistributor terminal 121 transmits in real time the created live contentto the content distribution server 111.

Next, the following describes a configuration and operation of theviewer terminals 131 a, 131 b. Each of the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 bis a terminal device used by a viewer, and is an information processingdevice such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal handy phonesystem (PHS), a personal computer, a gaming device, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable gaming console, a watch, a smartwatch, ahead-mounted display, a wearable display, an image generation device,and the like. Further, the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b are eachconnectable to the content distribution server 111 through the internet(WAN), a network NW such as LAN, or the like. Note that thecommunication channel among the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b and thecontent distribution server 111 may be wired or wireless.

The distributor terminal 121 and the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b mayaccess the content distribution server 111 through exclusive applicationsoftware installed. Further, the distributor terminal 121 and the viewerterminals 131 a, 131 b may access the content distribution server 111 byusing an operation environment (an Application Programming Interface(API), a platform, and the like) provided by the content distributionserver 111 or by another server.

The advertisement content server 141 stores superimpose content uploadedto the advertisement content server 141 by an advertisement requester.Further, the advertisement content server 141 also serves as a serverapparatus that performs transmission to the content distribution server111. For example, the advertisement content server 141 storesadvertisement content such as a corporate advertisement. The distributoris able to select, from the distributor terminal 121, which content inthe advertisement content server 141 is to be used as the superimposecontent from the superimpose content list. The distributor may receive aconsideration from a content provider, according to the period of using,as advertisement content, the superimpose content in the advertisementcontent server 141 and size of displaying the superimpose content.

<Video of Content>

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the following describes a video of ashooting site of live content transmitted from the distributor terminal121 and a video of distribution content distributed from the contentdistribution server 111, of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of the livecontent. The shooting site is a room, a living room, or the like of thehome of the distributor. The room 201 includes furniture 202, a door203, and a desk 204. FIG. 2 shows a video image of the inside of theroom, which is taken by a web camera installed to the distributorterminal 121 such as a personal computer placed on the desk. Thedistributor is seated, facing towards the distributor terminal 121.Further, a cup 205 is placed on the desk.

The distributor is able to designate an area of the video image, wherethe advertisement content is to be placed, while watching the videoimage captured by the web camera on the distributor terminal 121. Anopen space on the desk is designated as a designated area A 241. Thesurface of the cup 205 is designated as a designated area B 242. The cup205 is shape-recognized, by registering the cup 205 to the contentdistribution server 111 by using the distributor terminal 121.Therefore, when the cup 205 moves, the designated area B 242 which isthe surface of the cup 205 also moves along with the cup 205 in thevideo image. Next, a part of the T-shirt that the distributor wears is adesignated area C 243. The designated area C is an area designated basedon a relative relationship with the position of the face 231 of thedistributor. The content distribution server 111 performs face-catch torecognize the face 231 of the distributor. The distributor designates,from the distributor terminal 121, an area having a width of 250 mm anda height of 100 mm as a designated area C, at a position 300 mm belowfrom the center of the face-caught face 231. It is possible todesignate, as the designated area C, an area whose position relative tothe center of the face 231 is zero, that is, the face 231. Thedesignator 115 of the content distribution server 111 stores thedesignated area A 241, the designated area B 242, and the designatedarea C 243 as display area information in the storage 114.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a video image of the distribution content.The distribution content is a video image distributed from the contentdistribution server 111 to the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b, and isalso displayed on the distributor terminal 121 as a confirmation videoimage. The distributor selects and determines, through the distributorterminal 121, the content he/she wishes from the superimpose contentlist transmitted from the content distribution server 111. In FIG. 3,the superimpose content of text reading “DEF Limited Company” isdisplayed in the designated area A 241. Another superimpose content oftext reading “GHI” is displayed in the designated area B 242. Further,yet another superimpose content of text reading “ABC Corporation” isdisplayed in the designated area C 243. The distributor is able todetermine, on the distributor terminal 121, which superimpose content isallotted to which designated area. For each designated area, theselector 116 of the content distribution server 111 stores, in thestorage 114, the allotment information indicative of which superimposecontent is allotted. The controller 113 generates distribution contentby superimposing the superimpose content to the live content, based onthe display area information and the allotment information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a video image of the distribution content,in which the positions of the distributor and the cup 205 have movedfrom their positions shown in FIG. 3. For the designated area B 242, thecup 205 is shape-recognized and text reading “GHI” is displayed on thesurface thereof. Therefore, when the cup 205 moves, the displayed textof “GHI” also moves along with the cup 205. Further, the designated area243 is determined as a position relative to the face 231 of thedistributor. Therefore, when the distributor moves, the text of “ABCCorporation” also moves along with the distributor. Further, thedesignator 115 shape-recognizes the cup 205. Therefore, the position ofthe displayed text may be rotated, when the cup 205 rotates. Thedesignator 115 may recognize the position of the holding hand by meansof shape-recognition, and may change the display position based oncalculation of a relation between the position of the hand and thedisplay position. Similarly, the designator 115 may shape-recognize theT-shirt, and change the shape of text and a design displayed, accordingto the wrinkle on the surface of the T-shirt. This way, the superimposecontent is displayed to the viewer as if it is actually printed on thecup 205 or the T-shirt.

<Process Flow>

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the followingdescribes, operation of the content distribution system 1 of the firstembodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows howoperations of the content distribution server 111, the distributorterminal 121, and the viewer terminal 131 a are related to one another.

In step S101, the distributor shoots a video of the shooting site. Thedistributor further transmits, from the distributor terminal 121, thevideo of the shooting site captured by the distributor terminal 121 tothe content distribution server 111.

In step S102, the distributor transmits a request signal fordistributable superimpose content, from the distributor terminal 121 tothe content distribution server 111.

In step S103, the content distribution server 111 transmits thedistributable superimpose content list to the distributor terminal 121,based on the request signal having been transmitted in step S102. Thesuperimpose content list may be stored in the storage 114 or stored inthe advertisement content server 141 and transmitted through the contentdistribution server.

In step S104, the distributor selects which superimpose content he/shewishes to distribute from the superimpose content list having beentransmitted in step S103, by using the distributor terminal 121.

In step S105, the distributor designates a display area for thesuperimpose content through the distributor terminal 121 (correspondingto FIG. 2). The distributor terminal 121 transmits the display areadesignated to the content distribution server 111. The designator 115stores the display area having been transmitted in the storage 114 asthe display area information.

In step S106, the distributor allots the superimpose content selected instep S104 to the area designated in step S105, by using the distributorterminal 121. The information of the superimpose content allotted istransmitted to the content distribution server 111.

In step S107, the storage 114 stores therein the display areainformation having been transmitted in step S105. The storage 114 alsostores therein the allotment information having been transmitted in stepS106.

In step S108, the distributor performs video-shooting for the livecontent using the distributor terminal 121. The distributor terminal 121transmits the video of the live content captured to the contentdistribution server 111.

In step S109, the controller 113 generates distribution content(corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4) in which the superimpose content issuperimposed to the live content having been transmitted in step S108,according to the display area information and the allotment informationstored in the storage 114.

The designator 115 determines an area to display the superimpose contentin the video image of the live content, based on the display areainformation. For example, the designator 115 determines the designatedarea B 242 based on the display area information such that thedesignated area B 242 corresponds to the surface of the cup 205. Thedesignated area B 242 is determined through the shape-recognition of thecup 205. Therefore, when the cup 205 moves, the designated area B 242moves along with the cup 205. The selector 116 allots the superimposecontent to each of the designated areas (designated area A 241 todesignated area C 243), based on the allotment information. For example,the selector 116 allots the superimpose content of text reading “GHI” todesignated area B 242. Thus, when the cup 205 moves, the superimposecontent of the text reading “GHI” also moves along with the cup 205(corresponding to FIG. 4).

In step S110, the communicator 112 distributes the distribution contentgenerated to the viewer terminal 131 a.

In step S111, the viewer terminal 131 a displays the distributioncontent distributed in step S110. Thus, the viewer terminal 131 a isable to display the live content in which the superimpose content issuperimposed to the video image thereof.

<Description of Effects>

As described above, the content distribution system 1 of the firstembodiment of the present disclosure enables superimposition andplayback of any superimpose content to any live content to bedistributed by the distributor. This allows an open area in the videoimage of live content to be used for an advertisement. As aconsideration of displaying the advertisement, an advertisement revenuemay be earned.

The superimpose content is not limited to text information but may alsobe information in the form of images and videos.

Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched according to the distribution time of the live content. Forexample, text of “GHI” may be displayed as the superimpose content inthe designated area B 242 from the start of distributing thedistribution content until elapse of 30 minutes, and then thesuperimpose content may be switched to text of “JKL” upon elapse of 30minutes. The distributor is able to set, in advance, the time to switchthe superimpose content and to which superimpose content the switchingtakes place, as the allotment information, on the distributor terminal121.

Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched by distributor operation on the distributor terminal 121.For example, the superimpose content displayed in the designated area B242 may be the text of “GHI” at the beginning of the distributioncontent. Then, in response to reception of a selection instructionsignal from the distributor terminal 121, the controller 113 may switchthe superimpose content so that the text of “JKL” is displayed. Thedistributor may set, as the allotment information, the superimposecontent to be switched in advance from the distributor terminal 121.

Further, the superimpose content displayed in the designated area may beswitched according to an instruction of an original sender of thesuperimpose content. For example, an advertisement requester who is theoriginal sender of the superimpose content may operate a terminal device(not shown) used by the advertisement requester to switch thesuperimpose content to be displayed. The superimpose content displayedin the designated area B 242 may be the text of “GHI” at the beginningof the distribution content. Then, in response to reception of aselection instruction signal from the terminal device used by theadvertisement requester, the controller 113 may switch the superimposecontent so that the text of “JKL” is displayed.

Further, at a time of switching the superimpose content, the controller113 may cause the superimpose content before switching to fade out, andcauses the superimpose content after switching to fade in. The form ofswitching may be cross-fading. Alternatively, morphing may be adoptedfor displaying the superimpose content before and after the switching.This prevents the viewer from feeling the unnaturalness in switching thesuperimpose content.

Further, the superimpose content may be different sets of contentdepending on the terminal devices. For example, as the superimposecontent to be displayed in the designated area B 242, the terminaldevice 131 a may display “GHI” as the superimpose content, while theterminal device 131 b displays “JKL” as the superimpose content. Thecontroller 113 is capable of analyzing preferences of viewers based ontheir login ID information through their terminal devices. Thecontroller 113 generates sets of distribution content, each of which hasa set of superimpose content superimposed according to the preference ofeach viewer. The communicator 112 then transmits these sets ofdistribution content thus generated to the viewer terminals 131 a, 131b, respectively. It should be noted that the controller 113 may analyzethe preference of each viewer based on cookie information (HTTP cookie)from the viewer terminal, instead of using the login information.

Further, the original sender of the superimpose content may request thesuperimpose content created by the original sender be displayed, whilethe distribution content is viewed. A specific process of this is asfollows. Namely, the advertisement requester who is the original senderof the superimpose content may operate the terminal device (not shown)used by the advertisement requester to transmit to the contentdistribution server 111 a request signal requesting displaying of thesuperimpose content created by the advertisement requester in thecurrently distributed distribution content. Further, the advertisementrequester uploads, to the content distribution server 111, thesuperimpose content he/she wishes to display. Further, the advertisementrequester selects a display area to display the superimpose content,within the video image of the distribution content. Then, the contentdistribution server 111 determines an amount of consideration fordisplaying the advertisement, which is indicated by the request signal.The content distribution server 111 may determine the amount ofconsideration based on comparison with the amount set by thedistributor. Further, the amount of consideration may be compared withamounts offered by others who wish displaying of their advertisements inthe same display area. When the amount of consideration satisfies acondition, the request will be accepted. Then, the content distributionserver 111 is able to switch over and display the superimpose contentcreated by the advertisement requester in real time, upon request fromthe advertisement requester, in place of the other superimpose contenthaving been displayed.

Second Embodiment

The following describes a second embodiment of the present disclosure,which is a content distribution system 1 that superimposes and displaysanother content in a background of a shooting site. The contentdistribution system 1 of the first embodiment is used to describe thesecond embodiment.

<Video Image of Live Content>

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the following describes a video image ofa shooting site of live content transmitted from the distributorterminal 121 and a video image of distribution content distributed fromthe content distribution server 111, in relation to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of the livecontent. The shooting site is a room, a living room, or the like of thehome of the distributor. The room 201 includes furniture 202, a door203, and a desk 204. Further, pieces of rubbish 208, 209 are scatteredon the floor of the room 201. Further, FIG. 6 shows a state in which thedistributor and items that the distributor may bring in duringdistribution of live content are not shown. The distributor transmitsthe video image as shown in FIG. 6, from the distributor terminal 121 tothe content distribution server 121.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site, with thedistributor of the live content. Further, the cup 205 the distributor ofthe live content has been brought in during the distribution isdisplayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a video image of the distribution content.The distribution content is a video distributed from the contentdistribution server 111 to the viewer terminals 131 a, 131 b, and isalso displayed on the distributor terminal 121 as a confirmation video.The distribution content is a content generated from the live contentwith another content superimposed thereon. The other content is thesuperimpose content, or content including a video, an image, and thelike with an object, a view, a design etc. FIG. 8 shows a state where avideo of a landscape such as a tree and the moon is displayed as theother content.

<Process Flow>

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the followingdescribes, operation of the content distribution system 1 of the secondembodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows howoperations of the content distribution server 111, the distributorterminal 121, and the viewer terminal 131 a are related to one another.

In step S201, the distributor shoots a video of the shooting site in aninitial state. The distributor further transmits, from the distributorterminal 121, the video of the shooting site in the initial statecaptured by the distributor terminal 121 to the content distributionserver 111. The video of the shooting site in the initial state means,for example, a video without the distributor him/herself, cup, and thelike which will appear during distribution of the live content(corresponding to FIG. 6).

In step S202, the distributor designates a display area for thesuperimpose content through the distributor terminal 121 (correspondingto the designated area 244 of FIG. 6). The distributor terminal 121transmits the display area designated to the content distribution server111.

In step S203, the designator 115 stores the display area having beentransmitted in the storage 114 as the display area information.

In step S204, the distributor transmits a request signal fordistributable superimpose content, from the distributor terminal 121 tothe content distribution server 111.

In step S205, the content distribution server 111 transmits thedistributable superimpose content list to the distributor terminal 121,based on the request signal having been transmitted in step S204. Thesuperimpose content list may be stored in the storage 114 or stored inthe advertisement content server 141 and transmitted through the contentdistribution server.

In step S206, the distributor selects which superimpose content he/shewishes to distribute from the superimpose content list having beentransmitted in step S103, by using the distributor terminal 121.

In step S207, the distributor allots the superimpose content selected instep S206 to the area designated in step S202, by using the distributorterminal 121. The information of the superimpose content allotted istransmitted to the content distribution server 111.

In step S208, the storage 114 stores therein the allotment informationhaving been transmitted in step S207.

In step S209, the distributor performs video-shooting for the livecontent using the distributor terminal 121. The distributor terminal 121transmits the video of the live content captured to the contentdistribution server 111.

In step S210, the controller 113 extracts a difference between the videoimage of the shooting site in the initial state, which has beentransmitted in step S201, and the video image of the live content. Withthis, the distributor him/herself and the cup 205 are extracted from thevideo image of the live content.

In step S211, the controller 113 generates distribution content(corresponding to FIG. 7) in which the superimpose content issuperimposed to the live content having been transmitted in step S209,according to the display area information and the allotment informationstored in the storage 114.

The designator 115 determines an area to display the superimpose contentin the video image of the live content, based on the display areainformation. The selector 116 allots the superimpose content to thedesignated area, based on the allotment information. In FIG. 7, a videoimage of a landscape such as a tree and the moon is allotted to thedesignated area D 244 shown in FIG. 6. The controller 113 superimposesthe distributor and the cup 205 extracted in step S210 to the videoimage. As a result, the distributor is displayed over the video image ofthe landscape.

In step S212, the communicator 112 distributes the distribution contentgenerated to the viewer terminal 131 a.

In step S213, the viewer terminal 131 a displays the distributioncontent distributed in step S110. Thus, the viewer terminal 131 a isable to display the live content in which the superimpose content issuperimposed to the video image thereof.

<Description of Effects>

As described above, the content distribution system 2 of the secondembodiment of the present disclosure enables superimposition andplayback of any superimpose content to any live content to bedistributed by the distributor. This enables the background of theshooting site to be changed to any background without a need for aspecial environment such as the one using chroma key. Thus, for example,when the room for shooting a video image to be distributed as the livecontent is messy, it is possible to hide the messy state of the room bydisplaying the video image of the superimpose content as the othercontent in the background or the like of the distributor. As this othercontent displaying the background and the like, an advertisement and thelike may be displayed. As a consideration of displaying theadvertisement, an advertisement revenue may be earned.

Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched according to the distribution time of the live content.Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched by distributor operation on the distributor terminal 121.Further, the superimpose content may be different sets of contentdepending on the terminal devices.

Third Embodiment

The following describes a third embodiment of the present disclosure,which is a content distribution system 1 that recognizes an AR marker inlive content, and superimposes and plays another content in the set oflive content. The content distribution system 1 of the first embodimentis used to describe the third embodiment.

<Video Image of Content>

With reference to FIGS. 10 to 11, the following describes a video imageof a shooting site of live content transmitted from the distributorterminal 121 and a video image of distribution content distributed fromthe content distribution server 111, in relation to the third embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a video image of a shooting site of thelive content. The shooting site is a room, a living room, or the like ofthe home of the distributor. The room 201 includes furniture 202, a door203, and a desk 204. Further, a cup 205 is placed on the desk. Further,pieces of rubbish 208, 209 are scattered on the floor of the room 201.The distributor is sitting in front of the desk.

FIG. 10 further shows five AR markers (Augmented Reality Markers). TheAR markers are each a unique pattern serving as a marker for designatinga position where another content is to be displayed, and is configuredin the form of a two-dimensional code, for example. An AR marker a 251is pasted on the top surface of the desk. An AR marker b 252 is pastedon the surface of the cup 205. An AR marker c 253 is printed on thechest part of a T-shirt the distributor wears. Further, the AR marker d254 and the AR marker e 255 are pasted on stands (not shown) which areplaced in front of pieces of rubbish 208 and 209, respectively.

The distributor is able to allot the superimpose content to each of theAR markers in the video image, while watching the video image capturedby the web camera on the distributor terminal 121. In the example ofFIG. 10, the distributor allots text reading “ABC Corporation,” which isthe superimpose content of an advertisement, to the AR marker c 253.This way, the text of “ABC Corporation” is displayed on the T-shirthaving the AR marker c 253 printed thereon in the distributed videoimage, as shown in FIG. 11. Further, a video of “a board” of the samecolor as the floor can be allotted to the AR marker d 254 shown in FIG.10. To the AR marker e 255, video content of “a tree” can be allotted.As shown in FIG. 11, in the distributed video image, the video contentof “the board” is displayed in the place where the AR marker d 254 isarranged. Further, in the place where the AR marker e 255 is arranged,the video content of “the tree” is displayed. Thus, pieces of rubbish208 and 209 scattered in the room 201 can be hidden in the distributedvideo image.

<Process Flow>

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the followingdescribes, operation of the content distribution system 1 of the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows howoperations of the content distribution server 111, the distributorterminal 121, and the viewer terminal 131 a are related to one another.

In step S301, the distributor transmits a request signal fordistributable superimpose content, from the distributor terminal 121 tothe content distribution server 111.

In step S302, the content distribution server 111 transmits thedistributable superimpose content list to the distributor terminal 121,based on the request signal having been transmitted in step S301. Thesuperimpose content list may be one that is stored in the storage 114 orone that is stored in the advertisement content server 141 andtransmitted through the content distribution server.

In step S303, the distributor selects which superimpose content he/shewishes to distribute from the superimpose content list having beentransmitted in step S302, by using the distributor terminal 121.

In step S304, the distributor allots the superimpose content selected instep S303 to each of the AR markers, by using the distributor terminal121. Namely, the image of each AR marker is captured, and the capturedimage and the superimpose content are registered in association witheach other. The information of the superimpose content allotted istransmitted to the content distribution server 111.

In step S305, the storage 114 stores therein the allotment informationhaving been transmitted in step S304.

In step S306, the distributor performs video-shooting for the livecontent using the distributor terminal 121. The distributor terminal 121transmits the video of the live content captured to the contentdistribution server 111.

In step S307, the designator 115 recognizes the AR markers displayed inthe live content having been transmitted from the distributor terminal121. Then, the designator 115 recognizes the position where each ARmarker recognized is displayed and generates the display areainformation.

In step S308, the controller 113 generates distribution content in whichthe superimpose content is superimposed to the live content having beentransmitted in step S306, according to the display area information andthe allotment information stored in the storage 114.

The designator 115 determines an area to display the superimpose contentin the video image of the live content, based on the display areainformation. For example, since the designator 115 recognizes the ARmarker b 252 pasted on the surface of the cup 205, the selector 116allots the superimpose content to the AR marker, based on the allotmentinformation. Further, for example, the selector 116 allots anothersuperimpose content of text reading “GHI” to the AR marker b 252. Thisway, the text of “GHI” is displayed on the cup 205. When the cup 205moves, the AR marker b 252 also moves. Therefore, the superimposecontent of the text reading “GHI” allotted to the AR marker b 252 alsomoves along with the cup 205.

In step S309, the communicator 112 distributes the distribution contentgenerated to the viewer terminal 131 a.

In step S310, the viewer terminal 131 a displays the distributioncontent distributed in the step S310. Thus, the viewer terminal 131 a isable to display the live content in which the superimpose content issuperimposed to the video image thereof.

<Description of Effects>

As described above, the content distribution system 1 of the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure enables superimposition andplayback of any content to a position of an AR marker in the livecontent to be distributed by the distributor.

Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched according to the distribution time of the live content.Further, the superimpose content displayed in each designated area maybe switched by distributor operation on the distributor terminal 121.Further, the superimpose content may be different sets of contentdepending on the terminal devices.

Fourth Embodiment

The following describes a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure,which is a content distribution system 1 that superimposes and playsanother content in the form of sound to the live content. The contentdistribution system 1 of the first embodiment is used to describe thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual scheme showing a timetable regarding allotmentof distribution time of live content 261. In the timetable of FIG. 13,the time elapses from the left to the right of the page of the figure.The live content 261 shown in FIG. 13 is distributed content that lasts45 minutes, and the content distribution server 111 superimposes andplays sound content three times during the distribution.

The distributor is able to designate, on the distributor terminal 121, aperiod for playing the sound content as a time range. In FIG. 13, thesound content is played in designated time ranges including a designatedperiod D 271, a designated period E 272, and a designated period F 273.The designated period D 271 is a time range from 7 minutes and 30seconds to 8 minutes and 30 seconds within a live content distributiontime. Similarly, the designated period E 272 is a time range from 24minutes 00 second to 25 minutes and 00 second within the live contentdistribution time. Further, the designated period F 273 is a time rangefrom 36 minutes and 00 second to 38 minutes and 00 second within thelive content distribution time. The designator 115 stores eachdesignated period in the storage 114 as the time range information(corresponding to the display area information of the first embodiment).

The distributor is able to select, from a content list, the soundcontent to be played in each designated area which is designated as atime range and allot the sound content to the designated area. Thecontent distribution server 111 transmits a content list to thedistributor terminal 121 in response to a request signal from thedistributor terminal 121. The content list is a list of sound contentstored in the storage 114 or the advertisement content server 141. Thesound content is an advertisement sound, a stamping sound, a chime, acorrect-answer sound, and the like. The distributor is able to allot thesound content selected from the content list to the designated periodwhich is the designated time range, by using the distributor terminal121. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the distributor may allot theadvertisement sound for a product of a company-X to the designatedperiod F 273. For each designated area, the selector 116 stores, in thestorage 114, the allotment information indicative of which advertisementcontent is allotted.

The distributor transmits the live content from the distributor terminal121 to the content distribution server 111. The controller 113 generatesdistribution content by superimposing the sound content on the livecontent, based on the time range information and the allotmentinformation. The communicator 112 distributes the distribution contentgenerated to the viewer terminal 131 a.

The viewer terminal 131 a displays the distribution content distributed.Thus, the viewer terminal 131 a is able to display the live content inwhich the sound content is added to the video thereof.

<Description of Effects>

As described above, the content distribution system 1 of the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure enables superimposition andplayback of any sound content to any live content to be distributed bythe distributor.

This sound content played in the designated area may be switched bydistributor operation of the distributor terminal 121. The distributormay set, as the allotment information, the sound content to be switchedin advance from the distributor terminal 121.

Further, the sound content may be different sets of content depending onthe terminal devices. For example, as the sound content to be played atthe designated period F 273, the distributor may allot the advertisementsound for a product of a company-X, for the terminal device 131 a, andallot an advertisement sound for a service of a company-Y for theterminal device 131 b. The controller 113 is capable of analyzingpreferences of viewers based on their login ID information through theirterminal devices. The controller 113 generates sets of distributioncontent, each of which has a set of sound content superimposed accordingto the preference of each viewer. The communicator 112 then transmitsthese sets of distribution content thus generated to the viewerterminals 131 a, 131 b, respectively. It should be noted that thecontroller 113 may analyze the preference of each viewer based on cookieinformation (HTTP cookie) from the viewer terminal, instead of using thelogin information.

(Program)

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of acomputer 901. The computer 901 includes a CPU 902, a main storage device903, an auxiliary storage device 904, and an interface 905.

The following details a program that achieves functions constituting thecontent distribution server 111 of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The content distribution server 111 is implemented in the computer 901.The operations of elements constituting the content distribution server111 are stored in the auxiliary storage device 904, in the form of aprogram. The CPU 902 reads out the program from the auxiliary storagedevice 904, loads the program into the main storage device 903 toexecute the above-described process according to the program. Further,the CPU 902 reserves a storage area corresponding to the above-describedstorage in the main storage device 903 according to the program.

The program is specifically a content distribution program thatimplements in the computer 901 the steps of: receiving live contentstransmitted through a network from a distributor terminal used by adistributor of a live content; designating an area in the live content,where another content is superimposed and played; selecting the othercontent to be played in the area designated; generating a distributioncontent by superimposing the other content selected in the areadesignated in the live content; and distributing the distributioncontent to a viewer terminal through a network.

It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 904 is an exampleof a non-transitory tangible medium. Other examples of such anon-transitory tangible medium include a magnetic disk, amagneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, andthe like which are connected through an interface 905. In cases wherethe program is delivered to the computer 901 through a network, thecomputer 901 that has received the program may load the program into themain storage device 903 and execute the above-described process.

Further, the program may achieve a part of the above-describedfunctions. Further, the program may be a so-called differential file(differential program) that achieves the above-described functions incombination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storagedevice 904.

These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and variousomissions, substitutions and changes can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments and variationsthereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1 Content Distribution System-   111 Content Distribution Server-   112 Communicator-   113 Controller-   114 Storage-   115 Designator-   116 Selector-   121 Distributor Terminal-   131 a, 131 b Viewer Terminal-   141 Advertisement Content Server-   201 Room-   202 Furniture-   203 Door-   204 Desk-   205 Cup-   208, 209 Rubbish-   231 Face-Caught Area-   241 Designated Area A-   242 Designated Area B-   243 Designated Area C-   244 Designated Area D-   251 AR Marker a-   252 AR Marker b-   253 AR Marker c-   254 AR Marker d-   255 AR Marker e-   261 Live Content-   271 Designated Period D-   272 Designated Period E-   273 Designated Period F-   901 Computer-   902 CPU-   903 Main Storage Device-   904 Auxiliary Storage Device-   905 Interface

1. A content distribution server, comprising: a communicator thatreceives live contents transmitted through a network from a distributorterminal used by a distributor of a live content; a designator thatdesignates, according to an instruction from the distributor terminal,an area within a video image of the live content received, the areabeing a space in the live content, where another content is superimposedand played; a selector that selects the other content to be played inthe area designated; a controller that generates a distribution contentby superimposing the other content selected by the selector in the areadesignated by the designator in the live content, wherein thecommunicator distributes the distribution content to a viewer terminalthrough the network.
 2. The content distribution server of claim 1,wherein the selector selects the other content according to adistribution time of the live content.
 3. The content distributionserver of claim 1, wherein the selector selects the other contentaccording to an instruction from the distributor terminal.
 4. Thecontent distribution server of claim 1, wherein the selector selects theother content according to the viewer terminal.
 5. The contentdistribution server of claim 1, wherein the selector selects the othercontent according to an instruction from an original sender of the othercontent.
 6. The content distribution server of claim 1, wherein theother content is an image and/or a video.
 7. The content distributionserver of claim 1, wherein the designator recognizes an image in thelive content and designates the area.
 8. The content distribution serverof claim 1, wherein the designator recognizes an AR marker shown in thelive content and designates the area.
 9. The content distribution serverof claim 1, wherein the communicator receives the other content from anadvertisement content server.
 10. A content distribution method,comprising the steps of: receiving, by a communicator, a live contenttransmitted through a network from a distributor terminal used by adistributor of the live content; designating, by a designator, an areawithin a video image of the live content received, according to aninstruction from the distributor terminal, the area being a space in thelive content, where another content is superimposed and played;selecting, by a selector, the other content to be played in thedesignated area; generating, by a controller, the distribution content,wherein generating the distribution content comprises superimposing theother content selected by the selector in the area designated by thedesignator in the live content; and distributing, by a communicator, thedistribution content to a viewer terminal through the network.
 11. Acontent distribution program for implementing in a computer the stepsof: receiving a live content transmitted from a distributor terminalused by a distributor of the live content, through a network;designating according to an instruction from the distributor terminal,an area within a video image of the live content received, the areabeing a space in the live content, where another content is superimposedand played; selecting the other content to be played in the areadesignated; generating distribution content by superimposing the othercontent selected in the area designated in the live content; anddistributing the distribution content to a viewer terminal through thenetwork.
 12. The content distribution method of claim 10, furthercomprising selecting the other content according to a distribution timeof the live content.
 13. The content distribution method of claim 10,further comprising selecting the other content according to aninstruction from the distributor terminal.
 14. The content distributionmethod of claim 10, further comprising selecting the other contentaccording to the viewer terminal.
 15. The content distribution method ofclaim 10, further comprising selecting the other content according to aninstruction from an original sender of the other content.
 16. Thecontent distribution method of claim 10, wherein the other content is animage, a video, or a combination thereof.
 17. The content distributionmethod of claim 10, further comprising recognizing an image in the livecontent and designating the area.
 18. The content distribution method ofclaim 10, further comprising recognizing an AR marker shown in the livecontent and designating the area.
 19. The content distribution method ofclaim 10, further comprising receiving the other content from anadvertisement content server.
 20. A computer readable medium storing thecontent distribution program of claim 11.